0
$\begingroup$

When one walks into a bathroom where someone is (or just finished) taking a shower it is hard to breathe, because it's filled with steam, yet the person taking a shower can breathe just fine despite being in the area with even more steam.

Why is that?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2
  • 4
    $\begingroup$ Can you support that this is a general perception? I've never felt suffocated when entering a steam-filled shower. $\endgroup$
    – fileunderwater
    Commented Oct 29, 2018 at 16:28
  • 4
    $\begingroup$ @fileunderwater: Nor have I, in an actual steam room. Seems like an individual idiosyncrasy. $\endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Commented Oct 29, 2018 at 17:11

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

Most likely a matter of relative perception.

For example, if you start with empty hands and pick up a 20 pound weight, you will perceive it as heavier than if you start with a 10 pound weight and then pick up a 20 pound weight.

Likewise, whoever's in the shower had plenty of time to get accustomed to gradually increasing steam, while you walked in and got the full blast immediately.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .